Presss



June 22 1926. w 1,589,686

V. T. GRASS PRESS Filed Dec. v, 1925 3 sheets-sheet 1 June 22 ,1926. 1,589,686

V. T. GRABS PRESS Filed Dec. '7,'1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 22 1926. 1,589,686

. v. T. GRABS PRESS Filed. Dec. 7, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 u t snuff@ Witt/Imam I V Patented June 22, 1926.

VIRGIL T. GRABOF KIG, NORTH CARLINA.

PRESS'.

Application filed December This invention relates to a press, especially adapted for use in connection with hogs-v heads and similar containers for pressing tobacco and other material of a similall nature. Inasmuch as these hogsheads are quite large and heavy when filled, it is pre-v ferred to use a portable press, which may be moved from one hogshead to another, instead of moving 'each hogshead up to a stationary press. Y Y

The objects of the invention include the provision of simple, practical and convenient means for engaging the bottom of the container without raising the latter from the ground, and for forcing the packer down into the upper end of the container with great pressure, and particularly means which may be securely clamped around and under the container, vand which will relieve the bottom hoop of all strain while pressure is being applied, at the `same time postively holding the bottom so that it can not be pushed out.

The means by which the above objects are attained, and the manner in which the same is operated will be more specifically described in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred em'- bodiment of the invention.

In the'drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the in;- vention in operative position.

Figure 2`is aplan View thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section showing the means for operating the clamp which engages the bottom of the container. Y

Figure l is a vertical transverse section showing the means for operating the packer.

Figlure 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5*-5- of Figure .4.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.- Y

Figure 7 is a vertical section through the bottom of the container showing the clamp lapp-lied thereto.

The inventionis sho-wn in connection with a hogshead, represerited at 10, and vhaving top and bottom hoops 11. The hogshead vis provided with a bottom head 12, and with a top head 13,. which is secured after the to` 'becco 14 has been pressed inl the hogshead to' fill the same. After the tobacco haswbeen laid in alle hogsl-read, the yhead 13 is forced downwardly tar-press thes'am'eby a suitable pressing device which, in the present embodiment, comprises packers 15, which are 7, 1925. Serial' No. 73,731.

adapted to be forced downwardly by means of ratchet bars 16. i Y

In its preferred form, each ofthe ratchet bars 16 is formedlwith seriesof oppositely disposed teeth 17 in staggered relation, and the n'iechanism for actuating the same is mounted in va frame 18, having at each Aend a cross head 19 having vattaching members 20 secured thereto and overhang'ing 'the edges of the hogshead. `These attaching members have upt-urned .orhookshaped ends i 21 which are slotted to engage ,chainsv 22, which are connected to a clamping device adapted `to vbe attached to the bottom of the hogshead.

Guide brackets 23 are `secured to the ends of the frame 18, and the ratchet bars 16 Yare guidedfor vertical movement therein. Each ratchet bar 16 ifs adapted tovbe forced downwardly by mechanism which includes apair of toggles, each consisting of a pair of links 2st` and 25. The link 24 is mounted at its upper end on a pin 26 secured'in ,thefbrae'ket 23, and the adjacent ends of the `links 24 and 25 are connected by a pin 27 secured in a frame 28, which straddles) the bar 16 and has an oscillatory movement with krespect thereto. The lower end of each toggle link 25 terminates in a tooth 29 adapted to engage successive teeth 17 on the ratchet bar 1,6 as the latter is forced downwardly, the link 25 being urged toward the ratchet bar by an expansile coiledspring 30 mounted at its endsuon bosses 31 and 32 formed on the li-nk 25 and the frame 18, respectvely- The sides of the frame 28 are extended at one end, and have a pivot lpin 33 mounted therein to' theV ends of which a yoke V34 isconnected. The ends of the yoke are journaled on a crank 35 formed in a .shaft 36, which is journaled in the frame 18, and adapted to be rotated by a hand whjeel 37, or equivalent device secured to one end thereof. It will Vbe understood, therefore, that Yas the shaft 36 is rotated,`the frame 28 is oscillated to and fro, `and the pairs yof toggle links 24, 25 are alternately straightened, and when one `pair of links is straightened to force the ratchet bar and packer downwardly, the other pair isy contracted, so as tov engage the succeeding tooth oir the bar. Thus, the packer isy moved downwardly step by step while vthe shaft is rotated.

A rock shaft 38 ismounted in iross bars 39 of the frame 18, and is pred adjacent ill) each ratchet bar li" with a cross head 40, to the ends of which links 4l are connected. Each ot these links has a slotted connection with a pin 42 secured in the corresponding toggle link 25. These slots are et suiiicient length to permit the normal operation ot the toggle links upon rotation oit the shaft 36, while the shaft 38 and cross head 40 are in the position shown in Figures 2 and 4. The rock shaft 38, however, has an arm cured thereto by means ot which it may be rocked until the cross heads 40 are substantially in horizontal position. This throws the lower ends otthe toggle links outwardly against the pressure ot the springs and positively releases the ratcnet bars 16, and permits a tree upward movement ot the packers 15.

When operating the press, in order te hold the trame down, the chains 22 are attached to the members 20. The lower end ot each ol these chains is connected to a pair et braces 44, and these braces carry semi-circular clamping membe., at their lower ends. These clamping members are ot such shape and size as to lit ar und the lower hoop ll, and to substantiallyv surround the lower end ot the hogshead. The lower edges ot the clamping members h ve inturned flanges 4G which have sharpened edges, whereby they may be tore-ed underneath the edges ot the hogshead when `the clamping members are drawn together.

For manipulating the clamping members 45. one of them has a plate or strap 47 sen cured to each end thereof in which is mounted a pin or bolt 4S, forming the tulcrum of a`lever 49. Each ot these levers has an eye or U-bolt 50 secured a snort distance from the ulcrum and supporting a chain 51, one ot the links of which may 'be engaged with a hook 52 secured to the adjacent end of the other clamping member. lt will be seen, theretore, that when the clamping members 45 are placed in opposed relation adjacent the bottom ot the hogshead, the levers 49 and chains 5l may be manipulated so as to torce the tianges 46 underneath the edges ot the hogshead without lifting the latter from the tloor.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a press constructed according to the invention may be made comparatively light, and yet capable of exerting great pressure. The entire device may be .easily carried from one part of the warehouse to another by one man, and may be used in pressing one hogshead after another, without altering the position of the hogsheads. This greatly facilitates the work, since the hogsheads are quite heavy, and it has heretofore required several men to handle them where a stationary press has been used.

Not lonly is it a very simple matter tor one man to adjust thev clamping members 45, and to torce the same into operative relation to the bottom ot the hogshead, but, when so applied, the pressure oi" the clamping members relieves the strain on the lower hoop l1, and positively prevents the bottom 12 'from being -forced out when pressure is applied to the head oit the hogshead.

1While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a ratchet device tor forcing the head downwardly, it is to .be'understood that any other equivalent device may be used tor this purpose. It is also to be understood that the structure ot the clamp and the means tor attachiiw' the same to the packer operating mechanism is not limited to the precise form herein shown and described, but that various modi tications may be made therein within the scope ot what is claimed without any material departure from the salient features et the invention, and without sacrificing any ot the advantages o'l the same.

llhat is claimed is: v

ji. if", device ter pressing' material in a hogshead or similar ront-ainei, comprising a portable trame with attachingv members which project over the edges or the container when the trame is placed in operative position, a pair of complementary clamping members, means tor suspending the latter trom the attaching members, means tor drawing the rlamping members into engagement with the bottom hoop and the bottom edges ot the container', and means mounted in said traine and cooperating with the clamping members to press material which has been placed in the container.

2. fr device for pressing material in a 1 hogshead or similar container, comprising a pair ot opposed complementary clamping members shaped to conform to the bottom edge ot t-he container and each having an internal flange with a sharpened edge, means t'or drawing said clamping members inwardly so as to torce said sharpened edges underneath the edges of the container as the latter rests on the licor, and means adapted to be connected to said clamping members and operable to press material which has been placed in the container.

3. A device tor pressing material in a hogshead or similar container, comprising a pair o't opposed complementary clamping members having means to engage the outer surface oit the bottom hoop and adapted to extend underneath the bottom of the container, lmeans to draw the clamping members inwardly to relieve the strain on said hoop and to prevent the bottom from being pushed out, and means cooperating with the clamping members to press material which has been pla-eed in the container.

4. A device 'for pressing material in a hogshead or similar container', comprising a llt) pair of opposed complementary clamping members shaped to fit around the bottom hoop of the container and underneath the bottom edge thereof, upwardly extending braces attached to the clamping members and arranged in pairs with the members of each pair meeting at their upper ends and having a flexible suspension member connected thereto, a portable frame provided with means for attaching said suspension members thereto, and means cooperating with said portable frame and the clamping members to press materialV in the container.

5. A device for pressing material in a hogshead or similar container, comprising a pair of opposed clamping members having means to engage the outer surface of the bottom hoop and adapted to extend underneath the bottom ofthe container, upwardly extending braces attached to the clamping members and arrangedV in pairs with the members of each pair meeting at their upper ends and having a flexible suspension member connected thereto7 a portable frame adapted to be placed over the container and provided with means for attaching said suspension members thereto, means to draw the clamping members inwardly to relieve the strain on said hoop and to prevent the bottom of' the container from being pushed out, and means cooperating With said portable frame and the clamping members to press material in the container.

6. A device for pressing material in a hogshead or similar container, comprising a portable frame with attaching members which project overV the edges of the container when the frame is placed in operative posit-ion, a pair of complementary clamping members, means for suspending the latter from the attaching members, a lever at each side of the container, each lever being fulcrumed to one clamping member and having a flexible element connected thereto near the fulcrum, and means for adjustably connecting said flexible element to the opposed end of the other clamping member so that the levers may be swung about their fulcrums to draw the two clamping mem-- a pair of opposed complementary clamping members shaped to conform to the bottom edge of' the container and each having an inturned flange with a Vsharpened edge, a lever at each side of the container, each lever being fulcrumed to one clamping member and having a flexible element connected thereto near the fulcrum, means for adjustably connecting each flexible element to the opposed end of the other clamping member so that the levers may be swung about their fulcrums to draw the clamping members inwardly whereby said sharpened edges are forced beneath the edges of the container as the latter rests on the floor, and means adapted to be connected to said clamping members and operable to press material in the container.

8. A device for pressing material in a hogshead or similar container, comprising a vpair of' opposed complementary clamplng members having means to engage the outer surface of the bottom hoop and adapted to extend underneath the bottom ofthe container, a lever at each side of the container, each lever being fulcrumed to one clamping member and having a flexible element connected thereto near the fulcrum, means for connecting each flexible element to the opposed end of the other clamping member so that theV levers may be swung about their fulcrums to draw the two clamping members inwardly to relieve the strain on the hoop and to prevent the bottom of the container from being pushed out, and means cooperating with said clamping member to press material in the container.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my ownI have hereto aflixed my signature.

VIRGIL Tf eRABs. 

